FAQ

By law, all newborns are tested for several rare but serious medical conditions. Babies with these conditions may look healthy at birth. If not treated, these conditions can cause health problems such as mental retardation, slow growth, and even death. With treatment, these problems may be prevented.

The tests that are done depend on the state you live in. Each state tests for a slightly different list of conditions. In general, the conditions that are tested for fall into one of the following groups:

Metabolic conditions, which affect how the body processes food

Endocrine conditions, which affect the levels of important hormones

Hemoglobin conditions, which affect the blood and cause anemia, infections, and other health problems

A pulmonary condition, which affects growth and the lungs

An Immune condition, which affects how the body fights infections

See insert for a list of the conditions tested for in Maine. Newborn screening may find babies with conditions not on this list. Screening may also find a baby that carries only one gene for a condition. Most babies with one gene will not get sick from the condition.

Testing for more conditions may be available at other laboratories for a fee.

Rules and Regulations - Relating to Newborn Bloodspot Screening (Chapter 283). These rules discuss how the Newborn Bloodspot Program is implemented.

State of Maine Process for Adding Conditions to the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Panel – Adding Conditions to State Newborn Screening Panels describes the process Maine follows when adding newborn screening disorders to its newborn screening panel. This collaborative process relies on the expertise and experience of national and international newborn screening programs, genetics specialists, state health agencies, parents and families, health providers, state policy makers and other stakeholders. The state aims to select disorders that have the greatest potential to protect the health of Maine babies.

The Maine Newborn Bloodspot Screening provides information on some rare disorders of body chemistry. These screening tests may not pick up all newborns with these rare disorders. Even if the results of these screening tests are normal, there may be other medical problems that cannot be detected by these tests. It is important for your baby to have regular check-ups and good medical care. This blood test is only a screen.